Giel's Moving Story of Survival and Hope

Today our students in Years 9, 10 and 12 were lucky enough to have a powerful assembly delivered by Giel, a young man with an incredible story to share.  Giel is from an organisation called Asylum Speakers who share their amazing stories of survival to educate, inspire and clarify some of the misconceptions around migration today.

Giel was born in South Sudan and enjoyed an idyllic childhood tending to cattle, playing with friends, canoeing, swimming and fishing.  One night he was unable to sleep, troubled by strange noises and voices.  He asked his father what was happening, was told that a conflict had broken out and then the killing started.  Without warning, Giel was forced to leave his home and everything he had ever known, with just his Aunt and cousins. He was 13 years old.  Three days later he got the news that his father was dead.

Not knowing where they were going, they fled but were quickly detained and taken to camp after camp, desperate places and all he wanted was to see him mum again.   After  many months, he decided to take his chances and escaped, crossing the border into Sudan.  He was tricked and tortured, lost many friends, met several dubious people and spent years in camps where you couldn't tell the dead from the living. 

His biggest achievement was the day he and six other prisoners managed to ambush a guard, catching him by surprised as he brought their food.  The shock of it sent him and the other guards fleeing, dropping his keys right in front of Giel in the process. It was run or pick them up, he chose the latter and with the help of others freed over 400 fellow prisoners. 

Giel made it through Libya and to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea where the lure of freedom in Europe called.  Pushed out in a small boat in the pitch of night, next morning he realised he was in the middle of the ocean and when the boat broke in two, half of the passengers were lost.  Giel survived, was picked up and taken back to the prison compound, tortured and escaped again.  It took him four attempts but he finally make it across the Mediterranean and into Italy. From here he crossed into France and to Calais, where after months, he decided he had to leave and chanced his luck in a dingy crossing the channel.  He arrived in the UK at the age of sixteen, three long years after losing everything.

Giel realised that this was not just his story, but the story of hundreds of thousands of people who have been affected by war and conflict.  Today he has a beautiful three year old daughter and he wants her to grow up in a world full of peace and hope.

During the Q&A at the end, Giel was asked what had kept him going, how did he just not give up?  His reply was simple, his will to survive and not wanting to die kept him going plus his longing to be able to see the sun each morning, cherishing the hope of what that morning might bring.  The sun was hope, and with hope you can achieve anything.

Mr  Stephenson, Deputy Headteacher said "It was a real privilege to welcome Giel to Charters School. His story moved and inspired everyone in the room — not just because of the incredible challenges he’s faced, but because of the strength, purpose, and hope he now brings to others. Giel encouraged our students to think deeply about the world around them and reminded us all how powerful it can be to share our stories and stand up for what’s right."

Head of Year 13, Mr Metson added "Giel was superb, what an inspirational 21 year old. He spoke eloquently, with such clarity and honesty. It was an incredible message that he shared and I think it was exactly the sort of message that our young people needed to hear."

It really was a humbling experience listening to Giel's phenomenal journey and we would like to sincerely thank him for sharing with our students and staff.  He really has made our young people feel that anything is possible.